Public Works Director Steven DeSalva said a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation inspection crew found last week that beams under the eastern Hill Road Bridge had completely rusted through in some spots, calling the integrity of the bridge into serious question. The bridge, which connects Glendon to the 260-acre park owned by Easton, has been shut down as a result.

DeSalva said the bridge runs over railroad tracks, which made close-up inspections difficult. PennDOT was eventually able to coordinate with the railroad company, which allowed them to see that the rust was not just on the surface of the beams, he said.

The county has had PennDOT inspection crews in place for two years, and the notice for the bridge's closure was the first time it had been flagged as a problem, he said. The extent of the corrosion, he said, would imply that the problems began on the county's watch.

"I think this brings to light the need to review our inspection protocol for bridges to make sure we don't miss something," DeSalva said.

Hugh Moore Park is still accessible from a city-owned bridge that re-opened this year after extensive repairs. That bridge is supposed to serve as the entrance bridge, but buses were supposed to use the city's bridge exclusively because of the county bridge's low weight limit, DeSalva said.

The county and PennDOT have not yet met to discuss how they will address the bridge's closure, DeSalva said. He was not sure if the county would even commit to repairing or rebuilding the bridge because no one has conducted any cost analysis, he said.

DeSalva noted the county opted to permanently close the bridge on Seidersville Road in Bethlehem because of the cost. That bridge mostly served as a back way to Stabler Arena, however, the Hill Road Bridge not only serves the park but the National Canal Museum, which recently relocated from Downtown Easton.